Tips to Moving Up
What skills separate players from USTA levels 2.5 to 5.0?
The question is often asked: What special skill or skills do I need to move up to the next NTRP level. After 40 years of coaching from world tour players competing at Wimbledon, Australian Open, coaching a college team and now working at the grass roots level down to beginners, I have a perspective that is a little different than the simple answer of: improve your consistency and get a stronger serve.
Here is a brief overview at each level:
To move up from a 2.5 to a 3.0 you will need:
1) Elastic Patience. i.e., a willingness to make rallies last longer. Many players at the 2.5 level want to end points too early so they go
for a winner after the first 4 shots. In the sport of tennis you must earn the right to win points. That takes patience.
2) Keep double faults down to 2-4 per set. You don't have to serve hard you just need to get at least 65% of your 1st serves in.
On the other hand, if you never double fault you probably are not hitting your 1st serve hard enough.
To move up from a 3.0 to 3.5 you will need:
1) Improve your transition skills of attacking short balls by getting to the net more often. This, of course, also means improving your
net game of volleys and overheads.
2) Learn how to serve with spin and placement.
To move up from a 3.5 to 4.0 you will need:
1) A mental outlook of wanting to make things happen instead of always waiting for things to happen. It's the same as playing to win
instead of playing not to lose. This can be taught over time.
2) A consistent rhythm in setting up to hit each ball in a rally with the same balance and same preparation of footwork. This means
arriving at the ball early instead of late or just in time. Footwork and balance are keys to 4.0 and beyond.
Here is a brief overview at each level:
To move up from a 2.5 to a 3.0 you will need:
1) Elastic Patience. i.e., a willingness to make rallies last longer. Many players at the 2.5 level want to end points too early so they go
for a winner after the first 4 shots. In the sport of tennis you must earn the right to win points. That takes patience.
2) Keep double faults down to 2-4 per set. You don't have to serve hard you just need to get at least 65% of your 1st serves in.
On the other hand, if you never double fault you probably are not hitting your 1st serve hard enough.
To move up from a 3.0 to 3.5 you will need:
1) Improve your transition skills of attacking short balls by getting to the net more often. This, of course, also means improving your
net game of volleys and overheads.
2) Learn how to serve with spin and placement.
To move up from a 3.5 to 4.0 you will need:
1) A mental outlook of wanting to make things happen instead of always waiting for things to happen. It's the same as playing to win
instead of playing not to lose. This can be taught over time.
2) A consistent rhythm in setting up to hit each ball in a rally with the same balance and same preparation of footwork. This means
arriving at the ball early instead of late or just in time. Footwork and balance are keys to 4.0 and beyond.